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This unique workbook provides step-by-step procedures for completing an agency-based research study.
Extremely user friendly, it includes concrete instruction and a fully annotated sample literature review with spaces for students to respond.
List of contents
Chapter 1
Orientation to Agency Research 1
If the Agency Has a Research Program 1
If the Agency Does Not Have a Research Program 5
Staff Views and Usage of Research 8
Agency Resources for Your Research 10
Timeline for Your Research Project 10
Chapter 2
Protection of Research Participants (Preliminary) 13
The University IRB 13
The Agency IRB 13
Prepare a Timeline for Your Human Subjects’ Review Application 14
Chapter 3
The Research Question 15
A Word About Evidence-Based Practice 16
What Would You Like to Know? 18
What Would the Agency Like to Know? 19
What Would the Clients Like to Know? 20
What is Your Research Question? 20
List of Student Research Questions and Design Type 21
Browse the Literature Related to Your Topic 22
Refine Your Research Question 23
Finalize Your Research Question 24
Chapter 4
The Literature Review: Finding and Evaluating Practice-Based Information 25
Helpful Tips 27
Conduct a Literature Search 28
Evaluate and Critique the Literature 32
Sample Critique for Empirical Studies 38
Sample Critique for Nonempirical Studies 42
Annotated Example of a Literature Review 46
Online Databases 51
Chapter 5
Choosing Your Methodology & Developing a Timeline 53
Determine the Purpose of Your Study 53
Develop Your Proposed Timeline 55
Timeline 56
Chapter 6
Survey Research 57
Translate Concepts and Variables into Measures 57
Construct Your Research Questionnaire 61
Plan How to Administer Your Questionnaire 63
Pilot Your Research Instrument and Plan for Data Collection 71
Chapter 7
Qualitative Research 73
Develop the Interview Agenda 74
Plan How to Conduct Interviews 78
Pilot Your Interview Agenda and Plan for Data Collection 83
Chapter 8
Single-Subject Design Research 85
Translate Concepts into Variables 86
Translate Variables into Measures 87
Identify the Specific Single-Subject Design 93
Chapter 9
Outcome Evaluation 97
Logic Models 99
Developing the Rationale for the Intervention 101
Developing Program Outcomes and their Measures 102
Choosing a Design 110
Selecting a Sample and Assigning Groups 111
Threats to Internal Validity 114
Example of a Logic Model 117
Threats to Internal Validity Application 119
Chapter 10
Sample Design 121
For Probability Samples 122
For Nonprobability Samples 128
Chapter 11
Protection of Research Participants 133
Outline Procedures for Obtaining Informed Consent 134
Confidentiality Safeguards 135
Construct a Consent Form 136
Request Agency Approval 138
Request IRB Approval 138
Sample Consent Forms 139
Chapter 12
Data Analysis for Surveys and Outcome Evaluations 141
A Word for the Statistically Intimidated 141
Computer Analysis 142
Descriptive versus Inferential Statistics 143
Table Construction 143
Presentation of Descriptive Information 144
Presentation of Group Comparisons 146
Statistical Significance 149
The Impact of Sample Size 150
Effect Sizes 151
Statistical Tests for Univariate Data 153
Statistical Tests for Group Comparisons 154
Testing the Relationship between Continuous Variables 156
Consideration of Moderating Variables 157
Chapter 13
Data Analysis for Qualitative Research 159
First Level Coding 160
Second Level Coding 161
Elaborate and Discuss Themes 162
Establish Credibility 162
Chapter 14
Data Analysis for Single-Subject Design Research 163
Visual Significance 163
Statistical Significance 165
Substantive or Clinical Significance 166
Chapter 15
Writing the Final Report 167
Revise Earlier Sections 167
Rewrite the Method Section 168
Write the Results Section 168
Write the Discussion Section 169
Compile the References and Appendices 170
Write the Abstract 170
Final Checklist 170
Abstract Examples 171
Research Paper Outline 172
Summary
This unique workbook provides step-by-step procedures for completing an agency-based research study.
Extremely user friendly, it includes concrete instructin and a fully annotated sample literature review with spaces for students to respond.
